Most Popular

Are You Talking About Me? Si. Do You Mean Yes? No.

Are they talking about me? Do they understand me? Who knows? My workers speak a dozen languages. I’m making a simple rule– speak English at work or else you’re done here. What with changing demographics, retention woes, and increased hiring demands, more and more businesses are concerned about dealing with employees whose native language is […]

News Notes: Disability Retirement Can Be A Constructive Discharge

A California appeals court has given the green light to a California State University employee’s constructive discharge suit—even though she technically didn’t quit her job but rather took a disability retirement. The employee claimed that after she blew the whistle on alleged misappropriation of public funds, she was subjected to a pattern of harassment that […]

IRS Announces Special Per Diems, High-Cost Locales for FY 2017

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) updated its special per diem rates for the transportation industry, incidental expenses, and the “high-low” substantiation method. These rates, announced September 26 in Notice 2016-58, apply to allowances paid to employees on or after October 1 for travel on or after that date.

Drugs & Alcohol: Do I Have to Interview an Applicant Who Takes Medical Marijuana?

One of our current employees has referred a friend for employment under our employee referral program, which rewards employees who refer applicants if we end up hiring them. The employee mentioned that the friend uses marijuana for medical purposes. I don’t really want to consider this person because we are a drug-free workplace, but I’m […]

Court Questions Horton Decision in Light of D.C. Circuit Ruling

Properly executed arbitration agreements can prohibit employees from bringing Fair Labor Standards Act collective actions in some federal courts. This is despite a National Labor Relations Board decision holding that mandatory arbitration for employment disputes violates the National Labor Relations Act, a federal district court has ruled. In doing so, the court joined other courts […]

Social Security Administration No-Match Letters Back On Again

The Social Security Administration (SSA) resumed sending “no-match” letters to employers this month, three years after discontinuing the practice in response to litigation. The SSA posted a notice on its Program Operations Manual System website saying letters are to go to employers for data received for tax year 2010. The SSA won’t send letters it held […]

Wage and Hour: President Signs Federal Minimum Wage Increase Legislation

Just before the Memorial Day weekend, President Bush signed the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 (H.R. 2206) to boost the federal minimum wage to $7.25 per hour in three steps over 26 months. The first increase to $5.85/hour will take effect on July 24, 2007. On July 24, 2008, the rate will increase to […]